Members of consumer forums and individuals said that men delivering Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders continued to demand tips ranging from ₹ 30 to ₹50 as tips for every delivery. Around 40 stakeholders, including dealers, met at the Collectorate to resolve the issue as part of a grievance day meeting for LPG consumers here on Tuesday.
“We are inconvenienced by delivery men who demand tips. We understand that the job involves physical strain and are willing to give ₹ 20,” said G. Gomathi Nayagam, Secretary, Federation of Consumer Rights Organisation of Tamil Nadu.
He went on to state that delivery boys often created problems if their stated sum was not paid. “They claimed that the house was locked even when it was not and refused to deliver the cylinder. It was almost like a threat,” he said.
Dealers from several organisations asked consumers to discourage all tips asked by delivery men. Unless the customers refuse, no change would take place, they said.
Delivery men did not perform the requisite ‘soap test’, a method to check for gas leaks, post-delivery, he said and alleged that they did not carry weighing machines to check the weight of cylinders. Commercial cylinders must 19.4 kg while domestic cylinders must weigh 14.2 kg. “How will we know if we are cheated,” he asked.
Another citizen wishing anonymity urged the gas agencies to prevent cylinders to be transported through bikes and scooters. “During turns, the cylinders often hit the floor. This could cause accidents on the road,” he said.
A.Mohamed Mirran, a representatives of the gas agency dealers said that all grievances would be considered seriously and instructions would be passed on to delivery boys, henceforth.
R. Gunalan, District Revenue Officer who conducted the meeting suggested that members from companies like Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) would conduct internal meetings with delivery men prior to consumer grievance meetings.
“If the companies and the delivery agencies listen to their problems and provide them a forum to speak, the customers will have a pleasant interaction,” he said.
